Utica Community Schools elementary students capture state chess honors

A Roberts Elementary team has won the Michigan Scholastic Team Chess Championship for the eighth time in school history.

The Roberts achievement is among six team and eight individual medals earned by Utica Community Schools teams participating in the championship held February 7 at the University of Michigan Dearborn campus.

This year, K-6 students in 11 teams from Roberts, Flickinger and Schuchard Elementary schools were among the 300 players participating in the tournament.

The players competed in five sections depending on grade and experience level. Players represent their respective schools in teams of four players with the games contributing to each player’s overall team score and individual results.

Roberts Team D took the 2015 championship for the the K-5 Reserve section. Team members are Evan Aeck, Keegan Forbes, Stephen Smith and Chase Follis.

Additionally, the Roberts Rooks took a 3rd place team trophy in K-6, a 5th place team trophy in the K-3 Championship, and a 7th place team trophy in the K-5 Reserve. Team members are Zakoray Forbes, Ian Reynolds, Jason Jarbo and Ethan Rutledge.

The Flickinger Knights Chess Club had two teams competing in the tournament. The Flickinger Knights Team B took a 5th place team trophy in the K-5 Reserve and Team A took a 7th place team trophy in the K-6 grade section.

The Flickinger Knights Team B members are Jack Burnham, Jenna Burnham, Gabe Nicklas and Cooper Angelelli. The Flickinger Team A members are Jaden Loy, Ethan Setera and Michael Gryn.

Individual awards earned by UCS students:

• Gold (perfect score) Roberts Rooks: Jason Jarbo (grade 6), Stephen Smith (grade 5)
• Silver (4 or 4.5 out of 5) Roberts Rooks: Ethan Rutledge (grade 6), Evan Aeck (grade 5), Ben Miller (grade 2); Flickinger Knights: Gabe Nicklas (grade 4); Schuchard Knghts: Connor Harrison (grade 5)
• Bronze (3.5 out of 5) Roberts Rooks: Marek Ptak (grade 3)

The Roberts Rooks and Flickinger Knights are coached by Scott Burnham. The Schuchard Knights are co-coached by Melanie Barash and Danielle Harrison.